First 2020 College Football Playoff Rankings Revealed Tonight On ESPN

Courtesy: ESPN

College football fans and teams alike will get their first view of the post season tonight.

ESPN will broadcast the College Football Playoff Top 25 Ranking Show Presented by Allstate at 7 p.m .ET. Rece Davis will anchor the program. Analysts Kirk Herbstreit, Joey Galloway, Jesse Palmer, and David Pollack will join Davis for the broadcast.

The first rankings presentation ahead of the post season, it will feature an interview with College Football Playoffs Selection Committee Chairman Gary Barta. The broadcast will also feature the unveiling of the first playoffs ranking from the selection committee in real time.

As an added viewing option, Rankings Reaction, sponsored by Cheez-It will air online through Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and the ESPN App. Mike Golic Jr., Jason Fitz, and Christine Williamson will host the program live from Studio E in Bristol, CT. The program will air throughout the remainder of the regular season and the post season right up until selection day, Dec. 30.

More information on the ESPN networks’ college football coverage is available online along with all of the latest college football news at:

Websitehttp://www.espn.com/college-football

Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/CFBonESPN

Twitterhttp://twitter.com/espncfb

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NBA Eastern Conference Finals Tips Off Tuesday On ESPN

Courtesy: ESPN

Miami and Boston will vie for the NBA’s Eastern Conference Championship this year.

The Heat and Celtics will tip-off their championship series at 8:30 p.m. ET Tuesday on ESPN.  Mike Breen will anchor Tuesday night’s broadcast.  Analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson will provide additional commentary.  The trio will also have the call for the NBA Finals presented by YouTube on ABC.

NBA Countdown presented by Mountain Dew will precede Game One’s broadcast.  Maria Taylor will anchor the broadcast, which will come live from ESPN’s new rooftop, riverfront stadium in New York City.  Analysts Jalen Rose, Stephen A. Smith and Jay Williams will provide additional commentary.  Williams’ appearance will be remote.

ESPN Senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski will also provide commentary for the pre-game show.  His appearance will come live from the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, FL, the home of the NBA playoffs.

Start time for Game One’s broadcast is subject to change depending on coverage of Game Seven in the Western Conference semi-final matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers.  The game is also scheduled to take place Tuesday.  The Nuggets forced the Game Seven showdown after defeating the Clippers 111-98 Sunday.

Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Championship series will simulcast on ESPN, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes and online through the ESPN App.

More information the ESPN networks’ NBA’s postseason coverage is available online now along with all of the latest NBA headlines at:

 

Websitehttp://www.espn.com/nba

Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/NBAonESPN

Twitterhttp://twitter.com/espnnba

 

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Strong Like Bull Reminding Audiences To ‘Live While You Can’ With New Song, Video

Courtesy: TAG Publicity

Independent rock and roll band Strong Like Bull wants audiences to live their lives as fully as possible.

That is the message in the band’s debut single ‘Live While You Can.’  The band, which is in the midst of a tour of its home state of Kansas, debuted the video for the single last month at puregrainaudio.com.  The video, which is also streaming on the band’s official YouTube Channel, finds the band performing its new single in a variety of settings, from a barn, to an open field to a rocky outcropping.

The song’s musical arrangement is such that it will appeal to fans of bands, such as Motley Crue, Poison and Guns N’ Roses, just to name a few similar sounding acts.  Its lyrical theme delivers a message of doing the most with one’s life, as pointed out by band member Dave Gray in a recent interview.

“‘Live While You Can’ is a song about not letting anyone keep you from living your life like you want to…including yourself,” Gray said.  “We give ourselves more reasons hat we shouldn’t do something we want to than anyone else does.  We’re supposed to know what we want to do with our lives, have a career by 22, and anything else we think society has told us we need to do to be normal.  Just be yourself.  Live your own life.  Don’t let someone else’s fears or your own fears hold you back.  You build your own cage.  You carve your own jail…You get one time around, you’ve got to understand, you build your own prison…gotta live while you can.”

‘Live While You Can’ is available to stream and download now through various outlets.  Those outlets can be reached here.

More information on Strong Like Bull’s new single and video is available online now along with all of the band’s latest tour dates, news and more at:

 

Website: http://stronglb.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stronglb

Twitter: http://twitter.com/StrongLikeBul16

 

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Sepultura To Stream Upcoming Concert

Courtesy: Nuclear Blast Records

Sepultura is making lemonade out of lemons.

The veteran thrash outfit was recently banned from performing live at The Palace – hamra in Beirut, Lebanon.  According to a news release sent Tuesday from Nuclear Blast Records stated the band was enacted by the nation’s general security office.  No reason for the ban was noted in the release.

The ban, the first ever in the band’s history, forced the band to cancel its performance at the noted venue.  It did not, however, keep the band from performing for its fans in Beirut.

As a result of the Beirut incident, the band announced through the news release, its May 2 performance in Dubai will be streamed online through the band’s official YouTube channel. The concert is scheduled to stream live at 10 p.m. Lebanese time, 9 p.m. CET and 3 p.m. EST.

The band’s members offered thanks to the staff of the Embassy of Brazil in Beirut for their support, Skull Session and Sepulnation around the world for covering the developing situation.

Sepultura’s upcoming live dates are part of an ongoing effort to promote its 2017 album Machine Messiah, which was released January 2017 through Nuclear Blast Records.  Machine Messiah spawned two singles — ‘I Am The Enemy‘ and ‘Phantom Self.’

Sepultura released eight studio interview sessions leading up to the release of Machine Messiah.  The videos are listed below.

Watch the Machine Messiah studio diaries here:

Studio Diary #1: www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8Lp7ge8Q3w

Studio Diary #2: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8vneH5RKt4

Studio Diary #3: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrkNouSAxT4

Studio Diary #4: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol2arUukE30

Studio Diary #5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0SveiuE_AY

Studio Diary #6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNa9K7GvcH4

Studio Diary #7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NdCDS0IM60

Studio Diary #8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHBU2wCu1JY

More information on Sepultura’s upcoming live streaming show is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

 

Website: http://www.sepultura.com/br

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sepultura

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sepulturacombr

 

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Western Conference Matchup Headlines ‘NBA Saturday Primetime On ABC Presented By YouTube TV’ Season Premiere

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN’s flagship NBA program makes its annual return this weekend with a new sponsor.

NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by YouTube TV airs Saturday with a double header schedule that kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET.  Up first on the schedule is a special matinee broadcast on ABC featuring a cross-conference matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder.  The Cavs sit third in the Eastern Conference, seven games back from the conference leading Boston Celtics while the Thunder sit fifth in the Western Conference, 11.5 games back from the conference leading Golden State Warriors.

Though the Cavs currently sit in the top three in the East, the team has been struggling as of late, having gone 2 – 8 in its last 10 games.  The last four of those games — reaching back to last Monday, Jan. 8 — have all gone to the Cavs’ “L” column.  Cleveland looks to bounce back from that skid tonight as it takes on Orlando at 7 p.m. After that, the team will take a day off to rest up and prepare for Saturday’s game.

Oklahoma City, despite struggling during the season so far, is in the midst of a three-game winning streak, with its most recent win coming Wednesday against conference rival Los Angeles, 114 – 90.  The team will be off tonight and Friday in preparation for Saturday’s game.  It will need all the preparation it can get, as the team has struggled on the road this season, going 9 – 13 on the road versus going 15 – 13 at home.

Considering both teams’ records so far and most recently, Saturday afternoon’s game can go to either team.  Broadcast is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.

The Warriors and Houston Rockets headline the day’s action at 8:30 p.m. on ABC in a 1-2 matchup in the Western Conference at 8:30 p.m. on ABC.  Houston is five games back from Golden State and has been impressive on the road so far this season, going 21 – 3 so far on the season.  The team comes into Saturday night’s game in the midst of a four-game winning streak while Houston — 5 – 5 in their last 10 games — has been off since falling to the Clippers 113 – 102 Jan. 15.  Houston will be back in action tonight against Minnesota in another Western Conference matchup hoping to rebound from that loss.

Saturday’s double header schedule is only part of the ESPN networks’ NBA schedule this week.  Two more games are on tap for Friday.  Those games are noted below along with Saturday’s schedule.

Thu, Jan 18 3 p.m. The Jump
Rachel Nichols, Tracy McGrady, Paul Pierce
ESPN
Fri, Jan 19 3 p.m. The Jump
Rachel Nichols, Ramona Shelburne, Tracy McGrady
ESPN
  7 p.m. NBA Countdown presented by Mountain Dew
Michelle Beadle, Jalen Rose, Chauncey Billups, Paul Pierce
ESPN
  8 p.m. NBA Friday presented by State Farm: Washington Wizards at Detroit Pistons
Ryan Ruocco, Doris Burke
ESPN
  10:30 p.m. NBA Friday presented by State Farm: New York Knicks at Utah Jazz
Dave Pasch, Jon Barry
ESPN
Sat, Jan 20 3 p.m. NBA Countdown
Michelle Beadle, Jalen Rose, Chauncey Billups, Paul Pierce
ABC
  3:30 p.m. NBA Saturday Primetime presented by YouTube TV: Oklahoma City Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers
Ryan Ruocco, Hubie Brown
ABC
  8 p.m. NBA Countdown
Michelle Beadle, Jalen Rose, Chauncey Billups, Paul Pierce
ABC
  8:30 p.m. NBA Saturday Primetime presented by YouTube TV: Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets
Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Steve Javie, Lisa Salters
ABC

More information on the ESPN networks’ NBA coverage is available online now along with all of the latest NBA headlines at:

 

Website: http://www.espn.com/nba

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NBAonESPN

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ESPNNBA

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Royal Blood Returns To The Studio To Work On Sophomore Album

Royal Blood gave fans their first taste of its new album Monday.

The British duo unveiled a new teaser video showing the pair—Michael Kerr (bass/vocals) and Ben Thatcher (drums)—in the studio working on its new album.  Audiences can see the teaser video online now via the band’s official YouTube Channel.

Courtesy: BBGun Press

 

The video features footage of Kerr and Thatcher at work as they record songs for the record.  It also features footage of the guitar and drum setups used in the album’s recording as well as other little additions.

While audiences wait for the first full taste of Royal Blood’s album online, they will get to hear some of the act’s new songs this summer at Lollapalooza.  The festival will be held Aug. 3 – 6 at Grant Park in Chicago, IL.  Other currently scheduled dates are listed online via the band’s official website.

More information on those dates is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.royalbloodband.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RoyalBloodUK

Twitter: http://twitter.com/royalblooduk

 

 

 

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Art Of Anarchy Announces New Live Dates

Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group

Art of Anarchy has announced new live dates in support of its new album The Madness.

The band announced this week it will embark on a short string of live dates next month beginning April 3 in Amityville, N.Y. The nearly month-long schedule takes the band to the Midwest and into the Southwest and also into Canada, eventually winding down April 29 in Henderson, NV.  The band’s current live schedule is noted below.

Art of Anarchy Tour Dates:

4/3/17 – Amityville, N.Y. – Revolution Bar & Music Hall
4/4/17 – Asbury Park, N.J. – The Stone Pony
4/6/17 – Toronto, Ontario – Velvet Underground
4/7/17 – Sarnia, Ontario – Station Music Hall
4/8/17 – Battle Creek, Mich. – The Music Factory
4/10/17 – Libertyville, Ill. – Austin’s Saloon
4/11/17 – Chesterfield, Mich. – Diesel Concert Lounge
4/13/17 – Fort Wayne, Ind. – The Rusty Spur
4/14/17 – Ringle, Wisc. – Q&Z Expo Center
4/29/17 – Henderson, Nev. – M Resort

Composed of Scott Stapp (ex-Creed) on vocals, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (ex Guns ‘N Roses) on guitar, John Moyer (ex-Disturbed) on bass and twin brothers Jon and Vince Votta on guitar and drums respectively, the band originally formed through an 18-year friendship between Thal and the Votta brothers.

Jon Votta first approached Thal with the idea to form the band years ago.  That discussion eventually led to the band’s creation, which originally saw the late Scott Weiland (ex-Stone Temple Pilots) handle vocal duties. The band’s debut self-titled album was released in June 2015.

Stapp said in a recent interview that he was optimistic about working with the members of Art of Anarchy.

“I’m excited to be a part of Art of Anarchy,” Stapp said.  “I appreciate collaborating with other talented artists and I can’t wait to share our new music with the fans very soon.”

Band manager John Gomez shared Stapp’s optimism.

“The other members of AOA and I are equally excited to have Stapp on board,” Gomez said.  “This is the first band that Scott has fronted outside of Creed and his heart’s really in it.  Scott’s vision, his gift for gut-wrenching storytelling and his powerful vocals lend a bold new energy to the group.”

Thal thought bringing Stapp on to take Weiland’s place has been a boon for the band, adding he thought Stapp’s addition to the band helped take the band in a new direction.

“Scott’s style and the personal lyrics he’s been writing are taking the sound in a new direction – one that brings out the best in all of us,” Thal said.  “It’s a new chapter for us all, and I’m looking forward to sharing the new music with the fans and seeing what the future holds.”

Vince Votta agreed.

“It’s been awesome having Stapp on board,” Votta said.  “Everyone is bringing their A-game and can’t wait to bring it live to the stage.”

Audiences that haven’t heard that new sound can hear The Madness’ latest single, its title track online now via the band’s official YouTube channel.  More information on The Madness is available online now along with all of Art of Anarchy’s latest news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.artofanarchyband.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ArtOfAnarchyBand

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Blacktop Mojo Releases New LP’s Second Single

Courtesy: High Road Publicity

Courtesy: High Road Publicity

Blacktop Mojo has released another song from its latest full-length studio recording.

The band released the title track from its new album Burn The Ships this week via Revolver magazine.  It is the second single to be released from the album, which has already garnered critical acclaim from fans and critics alike.

The song, the band said in a collective statement, is about the journey to the point of the song’s (and album’s) creation and the journey ahead.

“We all quit our jobs at about the same time to make this record and play as much as possible—that was our all in, no going back moment,” the band’s members said.  “It reminded me of a story we heard from the 1500s about a Spanish explorer that sailed to conquer a territory.  Once they landed on the beach, he burned al the ships so all his men knew one thing was clear, there’s no going back.  That’s what this song is about, and that’s the story of our lives at the point of the record being created.”

‘Burn The Ships’ is streaming online now via the band’s official YouTube Channel.  Audiences can also hear the album’s lead single, ‘Pyromaniac’ while there, too.

Burn The Ships will be released in stores and online this coming Friday, March 10.  It can be pre-ordered online now via the band’s official Bandcamp page.

More information on ‘Burn The Ships’ is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.blacktopmojo.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BlacktopMojo

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BLACKTOPMOJO

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Mipso Releases New LP’s Lead Single

Courtesy: LiveLoud

Courtesy: LiveLoud

Mipso unveiled the lead single from its upcoming album Coming Down The Mountain this week.

The band released the album’s title track this week as its lead single.  The song is available now on all digital service providers and is streaming online here.

The Chapel Hill, NC-based band’s latest album will be released in stores and online on April 7, 2017.  Album pre-orders are open now here along with tickets to the band’s upcoming tour in support of its new album.

The band’s tour launches March 24 in St. Louis, MO.  It is currently in the midst of a string of dates in Colorado.  The band will be in Nederland, CO today, March 4.  It will be in Fort Collins, CO on March 5 and Breckenridge, CO on March 11.

After taking some time off, the band will head out on its Coming Down The Mountain tour beginning March 24.  The band’s current tour schedule is noted below.

MIPSO ON TOUR: 

3/4 Caribou Room Nederland, CO
3/5 Downtown Artery Fort Collins, CO
3/11 Ride On! Music and Beer Fest Breckenridge, CO

 

ALBUM RELEASE TOUR (Phase One) | SPRING 2017

 

3/24 The Firebird St. Louis, MO
3/25 Hi-Fi Indianapolis, IN
3/26 Gravel Roads Concerts Minburn, IA
3/29 Redstone Room Davenport, IA
3/30 Gabes Iowa City, IA
3/31 Turf Club St. Paul, MN
4/1 Lincoln Hall Chicago, IL
4/2 The Frequency Madison, WI
4/4 Otus Supply Fernale, MI
4/5 Woodlands Tavern Columbus, OH
4/6 Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh, PA
4/7 The Hamilton Washington, DC
4/8 MilkBoy Philadelphia, PA
4/9 The Broadberry Richmond, VA
4/19 Music Hall of Williamsburg Brookyln, NY
4/20 Columbus Theatre Providence, RI
4/21 One Longfellow Square Portland, ME
4/22 The Sinclair Cambridge, MA
4/23 Bearsville Theatre Woodstock, NY
4/24 Iron Horse Northampton, MD
4/26 The Avalon Theatre Easton, MD
4/27 The Southern Charlottesville, VA
4/28- 4/30 Merlefest Wilkesboro, NC
5/6 North Carolina Museum of Art Raleigh, NC
5/13 North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival Huntersville, NC
5/20 Forest Fest Fairdale, KY
6/15 – 6/18 Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival Grass Valley, CA

Additional tour dates to be announced

 

 

Coming Down The Mountain is Mipso’s fourth full-length studio recording.  The band’s previous recordings include long, long, gone (2012), Holler Pop (2013) and Time Reverie (2015).  That record proved to be the bands best work to date, landing at number one on Billboard’s Bluegrass Chart and in the Top 25 of the magazine’s Heatseekers Chart.  The Guardian named the album one of its Best Records of the Year.

As if that is not enough, the band—Jacob Sharp (mandolin, vocals), Wood Robinson (bass, vocals), Joseph Terrell (guitar, vocals) and Libby Rodenbough (fiddle, vocals)—was called a favorite 2016 festival performer by Rolling Stone magazine.

More information on Mipso’s new single album and tour is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.mipsomusic.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mipsomusic

Twitter: http://twitter.com/mipsomusic

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Daybreak Embrace Streaming ‘The Moment’ Video Now

Daybreak Embrace is on the verge of being embraced by the masses thanks to its new video.

The Florida-based rock outfit released the video for its latest single ‘The Moment’ earlier this month.  According to the description on the band’s CD Baby website, the song is meant to be “a tribute to the fans and family gained on a cross-continent journey full of love, life and loud music.

The video sets the song against footage of the band performing at Woodstock Poland 2016.  For those unfamiliar with the currently unsigned act, the song conjures thoughts of Shinedown, Pop Evil, Five Finger Death Punch and others of that ilk.  The video is streaming online now here.

Courtesy: High Road Publicity

Courtesy: High Road Publicity

‘The Moment’ is just the latest of Daybreak Embrace’s works.  The band already has two EPs under its belt.  Its most recent release is 2013’s Mercury.  More information on ‘The Moment’ and all of Daybreak Embrace’s music and news is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://daybreakembrace.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/daybreakembrace

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DaybreakEmbrace

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.